Goddess of Blood and Shadows: Vampire Assassin Chronicles, #3

By Michelle Darnell

A Goddess Rises…

 

The goddess Maja is alive, thanks to Adina's grandfather Sujani, and her existence is pulling the world out of balance. Between floods, plagues and wildfires, the realm is heading straight for another Cataclysm. It's up to Adina to prevent it. Or die trying.

 

A blade forged in secret…

 

Only the Bone Shard Blade can kill a goddess, but Sujani's not giving his up. To forge another, Adina must find the bones of a twelve-hundred-year-old dragon and a mystical energy source strong enough to wield divine magic. Sujani's rival, Damon, could provide the magical power boost, but allying with him means trusting him when he's already tried to murder her once.

 

Kill the goddess, save the world…

 

Adina must untangle Damon and Sujani's schemes if she has any hope of making it through this with her un-life intact. With some allies and unexpected help, the realm might just have a chance. But she will need to use every trick in her arsenal to survive, obliterate Maja, and save the world.

 

Goddess of Blood and Shadows is the thrilling conclusion to The Vampire Assassin Chronicles.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michelle Darnell
• Release date: Mar 19, 2024
• ISBN: 9781962809030

Book preview

Chapter 1

Sujani

M y priest?

Sujani wrenched himself from his trance, throwing himself to his knees at the side of the bed. He dipped his head until it rested against the duvet. My goddess. After a long five nights since their arrival at Arthur’s old estate, it was about time she finally awoke.

Where are we?

Her voice was so fragile. Curse him and his inability to complete the resurrection ritual. If he’d been stronger, more worthy…

The blankets rustled as she raised her hand. Open your mind to me.

Of course. It was always an honor to share thoughts with his goddess.

Keeping his head down as he shuffled forward, he relaxed as her fingers rested against his temple.

Now, show me what has happened since last we met.

The last twelve hundred years of memories flew through Sujani’s mind, almost faster than he could fathom. She examined every one thoroughly before moving on to the next.

His blood raced past his ears, drumming out any background noise as his heart thundered against his ribs like one of his conjured storms.

Far too soon, her radiant touch disappeared as she collapsed back against the pillows. My priest. She sighed. What have you done?

He blinked as heat rose through his chest, daring to raise his eyes to hers. Pushing his voice past his suddenly dry throat, he asked, What do you mean, my goddess? I have resurrected you and prepared the way for your return.

She closed her eyes, shaking her head. Was this something I asked you to do?

No, of course not. But she’d been dead, and not in the position to ask for anything. I thought—

I am aware of what you thought, she said. With a bitter sigh, she leaned further into her pillows.

Dizziness threatened to overwhelm him at the expression on her face. He braced his hands against the side of the bed. My goddess, surely you wish to live?

She frowned. You have never understood. My time was over. Piercing him with her gaze, her eyes fileted his soul. Your time should have been finished, too. Neither one of us was meant to be here now.

Sujani blinked, his mind fizzed into static as his world crumbled around him. His vision turned watery. Are—are you saying I should have left you as you were?

She drew her eyebrows together. No. You should have sacrificed me to the Bone Shard Blade, as I commanded.

Wetness leaked from his eyes and poured down his cheeks. No. I…I couldn’t bear it. He dropped his forehead to the duvet, unable to face her gaze.

My priest. The weight of her hand rested on the back of his head. Perhaps it was unfair, what my brother and I asked of you.

Sujani swallowed. Yes, it had been unfair, more than he could tolerate. He couldn’t imagine life without her glory. But everything would be okay now that they were back together, once she was back to full strength.

Leave me. I wish to rest and recover.

Pushing to his knees, he bowed at the waist. As you command, goddess. I live to serve and am here when you need me.

He bumped against the hard wood of the door frame. Reaching behind his back, he fumbled for the latch with clumsy fingers. They slipped, finally snagging the metal and turning it. The deadbolt released.

Sujani backed into the hallway and closed the door. With a bone-deep sigh, he leaned against the wall and brushed the back of his hand across his eyes. It wouldn’t do for any of the mortal servants to see how distraught he was.

He took a deep breath to call for Charles but paused. He couldn’t face the other man right now, being so raw and with his mind in such turmoil. Charles’ mental powers were considerable, and only with full control of his emotions could Sujani hope to keep his thoughts private.

He needed to decide what his next step was going to be. No doubt, Damon was working to murder Maja at this very moment. Sujani would have to be at the top of his game to prevent that. Even if it went against Maja’s wishes.

At least he had an advantage—he was in possession of the Bone Shard Blade. Without that, Damon had no chance of success.

Something the other vampire no doubt knew, as well. So, the first thing he needed to do while Maja recovered was to make sure the dagger was secure, somewhere Damon would never find it.

Pivoting on his heel, Sujani marched toward Baron Arthur’s library, now his own. One of his grimoires should have a protective spell that would suffice.

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Several hours later, Sujani slammed his latest grimoire closed. Of course! He would never have overlooked such an obvious solution if he hadn’t been so distracted with Damon.

All he needed to do to protect Maja from Damon, and to ensure that Damon met his demise, was to borrow Maja’s divine powers—temporarily, of course—to put the other vampire in his place.

Six feet under the ground. Permanently.

Heaving himself to his feet, he rolled his shoulders and tilted his neck to one side then the other. The tension in his muscles from remaining in one position for so long slowly released, one fiber at a time. The joint where his spine met his collar bone popped.

Ah. That felt much better.

Grabbing a glass vase from one of the shelves with one hand, he tucked the grimoire beneath the other arm and ducked into the hall.

Turning the latch to Maja’s quarters slowly, he peeked inside. My goddess? he whispered.

Silence echoed back at him.

Good. She was asleep. That would make things easier.

Slinking into the room, he pulled the door closed.

Maja lay in the bed, the moonlight shining on her face through the open window.

Being careful to step quietly, he padded to the edge of her mattress as he scanned the room. He would need a way to keep her immobilized.

At least they were in The Drowned City, the original flash-point for the Cataclysm. Numerous ley lines ran amok through the area, deposited in the height of the upheaval. They would give him all the power he needed, as long as he didn’t wake her prematurely.

Setting the vase carefully on the nightstand, he placed the grimoire on the foot of her bed and flipped it to the appropriate page. Dragging a fang across his wrist, he opened a thin cut over his vein and held his arm above her face.

Two drops splattered against her perfect mouth. Her tongue reflexively licked her lips.

She roused as a bond snapped between their hearts with the ferocity of one of his lightning bolts. It crackled and sparkled with a blue-white energy.

He smiled. Exactly as he’d hoped. Reaching for his Talent and the power of the nearest ley line, he pushed them down the newly created bond.

Sleep, my goddess.

The command bounced down the connection and settled in her chest.

Maja tossed and turned, fighting the compulsion.

Grabbing a circlet of hardened air, he slammed it over her first wrist, reinforcing the shackle with a ring of lightning that crackled in time to the pulsing of the bond that linked them.

Thrashing, she pulled to the side and kicked the blankets off the bed as her eyes flew open.

My priest! Her eyebrows drew together as her jaw fell. What are you doing?

Don’t worry, my goddess. I’ve figured out a way to make myself stronger so I can protect you against Damon until you’ve recovered. He smiled. It only requires a small bit of your life force. The restraints are for your comfort. I’ll remove them momentarily.

The lightning restraint sizzled as she pulled against it, his Talent fraying at the edges. The air and lightning fractured under the weight of her power. Stop!

With a blink, he slammed a second matching shackle around her remaining wrist, splaying her arms out on the bed. He shook his head. I can’t. If he learns you’re weak, he’ll ruin everything, and I won’t be able to build you the kingdom you deserve.

Maja stopped thrashing, her mouth agape. My priest. Free me this instant.

He shook his head, reaching into his pocket for the ceremonial dagger. I will, my goddess. In just a few minutes.

His head echoed with a sharp crack and a flash of crimson eyes seared his brain.

Sujani stumbled back as Ahion’s malevolent stare burrowed into his soul. His heart froze, blood turning to ice crystals in his veins.

But that was impossible. Maja’s dark twin had been dead for over twelve hundred years, murdered by Damon. His chest constricted until it burned. Blinking in a futile attempt to clear his thoughts, he rubbed his clammy palms desperately over his torso.

The agony of Ahion’s gaze shredded his mind, until there was no conscious thought except pain and the endless red pools of the god’s eyes as he tumbled into their depths.

Something hard struck one of Sujani’s shoulders, the physical sensation jarred him from Ahion’s psychic grip as a mental shield of black glass slammed down over his thoughts.

The anguish dulled to a low-grade throb between his temples that was easy enough to ignore.

His lungs heaving, Sujani wrapped his leaden fingers around the residual filaments of his Talent and forced them over Maja’s ankles. Another encircled her waist, fully securing her to the bed.

Releasing his grasp on his magic, Sujani stumbled backward, slamming into a wall of muscle.

His knees went weak. Charles! Grabbing the other man’s biceps, Sujani heaved as he waited for the room to settle. His throat was raspy, as though he’d been screaming.

Charles gripped his arms in return, bending down to catch Sujani’s eye. His wide eyes bulged from his unusually pallid face as they flicked between Sujani and Maja. What’s going on? His voice trembled, like a bow strung too tightly.

Pushing himself up and taking a step back, Sujani brushed the palms of his hands off on his robes. What do you mean?

The corners of Charles’ lips tightened. I heard you shrieking from two floors away.

Sujani blinked. Even if he had been screaming, the sound wouldn’t have carried that far.

Giving him a flat look, Charles tapped his temple twice.

Oh. Yes.

Warmth spread through his stomach. For once, he was grateful for Charles’ telepathy.

What’s going on? Charles glanced at Maja, who glared at them from the bed.

I encountered an unexpected obstacle. Nothing more. Sujani studied Maja. Odd, that she would use her brother’s image in a psychic attack, knowing that, as her priest, he’d be more responsive to her visage. He chewed the inside of his cheek. Perhaps, after twelve hundred years of non-existence, Maja’s mind had not yet completely healed.

She tugged on the wrist restraints. The scent of blood and burnt flesh flooded the room as the edges cut through her skin. You will release me, my priest. This instant.

He bit the corners of his lips to hold back a scowl. Why won’t you let me protect you? Damon was dangerous, his goals diametrically opposed to theirs. She had to realize that. This was the best way.

Charles raised his eyebrow as he glanced between the two of them. Um, Sujani, perhaps you should…?

Thank you, he said, swallowing past his sore throat. He shot Charles a pointed glare. For your timely intervention.

Narrowing his eyes, Charles studied Sujani for several heartbeats. "I don’t think I want to know what you’re doing. No, I know I don’t want to. But be careful. He nodded to Maja. It’s dangerous to anger the gods. Even weakened ones."

Sujani caught himself before the impulse to flash his fangs at the other man took over. This is necessary to stop Damon.

Mmm. Charles eyed him for a moment then shrugged. You have more experience with him than me.

Sujani bit back a snort. Perhaps from a time standpoint, yes, but Damon was Charles’ father, after all.

If you feel this is the right way forward, Charles continued, I’ll support it, but if you don’t have immediate need of me, I prefer to be elsewhere while you do…whatever this is.

Sujani raised his eyebrows. That was as close to mutiny as he’d ever heard Charles before.

Maja thrashed, kicking against the restraints around her ankles. She pressed her lips into a thin line as she caught Charles’ gaze. No! Don’t leave me here! Make him let me go! Please!

Her emotion-choked voice grated in Sujani’s ears. He clenched his jaw as a bitter aftertaste burned at the back of his throat. Why was she being so stubborn? Maja had never refused to listen to him when he was mortal.

He studied her pinched expression, her wide eyes filled to the brim with unshed tears.

The corners of Charles’ mouth hardened, the characteristic sparkle in his eyes went dull. Neither of them had looked at him in such a way before.

Had he crossed a line somewhere?

My priest, this isn’t you. Blood from the cuts on her wrists soaked into the bed linens as she pulled against his restraints. Did you truly go to all that trouble to resurrect me, just to murder me by stealing my power for yourself?

The lightning crackled and fizzled as his Talent warred with hers. His heartbeat thudded in his ears.

She flopped back into the bed, chest heaving.

He shored up her restraints. Don’t be ridiculous. She must be aware of his feelings for her. I could never hurt you, my beloved. He hadn’t been able to sacrifice her as a mortal, and he’d never do such a thing now. She’d hardly notice the small amount he’d borrow.

After being dead for over a thousand years, Maja clearly no longer knew Damon like he did, and Charles wasn’t old enough to fully understand the implications of their failure. This was the only way forward. Besides, he’d only borrow Maja’s power to defend them all against Damon until such time as the goddess was strong enough to protect herself.

It was logical, and once Charles was able to see past his emotions, he’d realize it, too.

Checking that the obsidian mental shield was secure, Sujani nodded. You may go. I’ll call if I need you.

With a quick bob of his chin and one last empathetic glance at Maja, Charles spun on his heel and, with his shoulders pushed back, marched out the door, yanking it closed behind him.

As the latch clicked into place, Sujani turned to Maja. Adjusting the restraint so he could slide her arm over so that it hung off the edge of the bed, he set the vase on the ground beneath it. I’m really sorry to have to do this. But it’s the only way I can be sure to hold Damon off until you’ve recovered. I promise, I’ll only take what I need.

She jerked, trying to yank her wrist from his grasp. Why are you doing this? Listen to me! Stop! She blinked at him as a tear forced its way from the corner of her eye and tracked down her temple, losing itself in her hair. This will be your downfall!

His gut wrenched. Shaking his head, he looked away. If he let his feelings get in the way, she’d have him so twisted inside and out that Damon would storm roughshod over everything he had spent the last millennium working toward. And that wouldn’t be acceptable at all.

His stomach hardened to match the painful tightness in his throat. That she would reject his motivations…reject him, after all he had done for her. All he was going to do.

With a mental flick of his Talent, he slapped a restraint over her mouth. I’m sorry, my goddess. I can’t have you distracting me.

Soon enough, she’d see that he’d been correct. Then things would be as they were meant to be between them.

Pulling a ceremonial dagger from his robes, he sliced the delicate skin at Maja’s wrist.

His fangs throbbed as the first drops slipped from her fingers and splashed into the vase. The back of his throat burned, but he dared not drink from her directly. There was no telling what drinking divine blood would do to him.

He glanced at the grimoire, still laying open at the end of the bed. Fortunately, the book had plenty to say about how to distill and purify strong blood without losing its essence.

Hopefully, this would work.

The moon dropped two finger-widths in the sky as Maja’s blood dripped one holy drop at a time into the jar. Finally, enough had gathered to fill a chalice as the wound on her wrist clotted.

Ignoring the pallor of her normally tanned skin, he swiped the vase off the floor.

Carrying the glass and its precious contents to the end of the bed, he glanced at the first step of the ritual.

Place the crystal vial containing blood to be distilled at the center of the arcane circle constructed as described on the previous page.

Sujani blinked and ground his teeth as he flipped a single leaf of parchment back. A detailed sketch with several symbols—some he was familiar with, and some he’d never seen before—drawn within it.

Very well. He was no artist, but he could replicate the drawing.

Chewing on the inside of his cheek, he glanced around the room. There were no inkwells or paints, so he would have to use blood. His eyes slid to the glass vase, cradling her blood.

The blood of a goddess, surely, would make for the strongest circle, and thus the best outcome. But hers was precious, and he’d need every drop she could spare.

Drawing his ceremonial dagger, he dragged it across his palm. The sharp pain as the blade sliced his skin teased a righteous smile onto his lips. This small sacrifice on his part would be returned to him in spades once Damon met Final Death.

Sujani’s blood welled from his hand. Dipping the tip of his blade in the liquid, he knelt on the ground beside the open grimoire and began painstakingly copying the symbols.

The beam of moonlight had long slid off Maja’s face by the time he finished connecting the last symbol to the first. With a groan, he pushed to his feet and leaned to one side. Something in his lower spine popped, releasing the pressure that had built there while he’d been on the ground.

The cut across his palm turned pink as he watched, then disappeared.

Place the crystal vial containing blood to be distilled at the center of the arcane circle.

He placed the glass vase as directed, frowning at the uncouth clank it made against the floor.

Surround the vial with the essence of Moonlight Orchid to sanctify the vessel.

His heart jolted. Moonlight orchid? He shook his head. That flower was out of season this time of year. He’d need a substitute.

Setting the grimoire down, he stepped into the bathroom adjacent to her suite. The overwhelming scent of orange, vanilla and cinnamon filled his nostrils.

He groaned. The mortals had gone a tad bit overboard.

From the corner of his vision, Maja jerked on the bed, pulling her arms against his restraints. Tear tracks sparkled down her cheeks. He flared his Talent, reinforcing the manacles of hardened air.

They held. For now.

He should have drained more of her blood, to keep her slightly weaker until he’d had time to distill and absorb her essence.

He snatched the closest perfume vial and squinted at the label. Midnight Orchid. Perfect.

Clenching the container to his chest, he grinned. That should be close enough. Aiming the spritzer at the glass vase sitting in the middle of the blood circle, he spritzed a fine layer of the oiled scent in each direction and found the next line in the grimoire.

Add one tear from a star celestial to the crystal vial to symbolize the celestial being’s pure essence combining with the mixture.

He brushed a hand over his head, pulling the stray strands of hair from his face with a sigh. In his twelve hundred years of existence, he’d never heard of a star celestial. But it wasn’t a star celestial whose essence he was seeking…

His gaze slipped to Maja.

She turned her face away as he approached, squeezing her eyes shut and sending a fresh course of tears down her cheeks.

Ignoring the viscous twist in his gut at his goddess’ rejection, he gently brushed one finger down her jaw, careful to avoid the gag covering her mouth. Removing his hand and stepping back, he held his fingertip to the light. One dew-drop goddess tear sparkled.

With a flick, he sent the tear into the vase.

A pressure whooshed through the room, popping his ears and raising the hairs on his arms. Energy crackled along his nerve ends.

Excellent.

With a heavy sense of finality settling in his stomach like a hunk of lead, Sujani stepped up to the grimoire.

Repeat these words: Alagak dagotti esencia dragiti innem na elmentos: apuii, danum, angan, draga, larweg.

The unfamiliar language caught in his throat and tangled with his tongue, but as he repeated the incantation a second time, his skin jumped with the familiar pull of blood magic.

A purple-black mist formed in the vase, churning like miniature clouds riding at the head of a magical storm. Maja’s blood quivered as large bubbles rose from it with a loud pop until the fluid was at a rolling heatless boil.

The magic crested in a wave that effervesced the very blood in his veins. He took a deep breath, his lungs expanding as the warmth spread through his weightless body. The bond between them stretched. See, Maja? He turned to her. See what we can accomplish together?

She lay flaccid against her pillows, her pallid cheeks sunken and stretched over her bones. Her empty stare and quiet sigh bored straight into his gut.

Shaking his head, he spun away. She’d see, then she’d understand and forgive him.

She always forgave him.

As the tail end of the magic faded, Sujani grasped the vase and studied the dark sludge that remained. The mixture wasn’t particularly appetizing, and carried the faint scent of rotten eggs.

Maja’s weakened voice echoed in his mind. With a muttered curse, he pulled his obsidian mental shield back up, blocking her.

Swallowing past the thickness in his chest, he brought the vase to his lips and poured the vile concoction down.

The world contracted then exploded outward with a viscous snap as the liquid hit his stomach and absorbed. Ribbons of fire and power raced through his veins, leaving golden trails in their paths. The constant burn of Hunger at the back of his throat disappeared. The reservoir at his core that housed his Talent swelled and expanded until surely his ribs must explode from containing the pressure. The intricacies of his abilities spread before him, as though clearly spelled out in an apprentice’s textbook.

Throwing his head back with a gasp, he stared at the ceiling. Every living being and inanimate object was connected to him and to each other through the faintest of ethereal threads that if he blinked just right, he could catch their iridescence from the corner of his vision.

He reached out and plucked a strand, as though he were playing a lute.

In the courtyard outside, a freak gust of wind rose at the stimulus and toppled a tree.

This. This knowledge, this connection would be what allowed him to finally defeat Damon so he could clear the pathway for Maja to rule. He just needed a few nights to figure out the limits of his new power, and how to best utilize it.

Turning, he met her sad gaze. Don’t worry, my goddess. Everything will be over soon. Then all of this would be worth it.

Spinning on his heel, he yanked the door open. Charles!

The other man must have been lingering nearby, because moments later, footsteps rounded the corner. Sujani?

Come here and drink. He opened a cut on his wrist and waved Charles forward. I’m going to teach you how to throw lightning. Then, I have a message for you to take to Damon.

Chapter 2

Adina

Adina glared at the handful of tiny bones piled on the table in their room at the nameless backwater inn on the northern edge of Gorlinia. They were small, the largest no bigger than a finger bone. She bit her lip as she picked one up and held it to the lantern. I don’t know. It’s not like there’s some magical dust or potion you can sprinkle on these that will glow if they’re dragon bones. Hopefully, Sujani didn’t realize René had stolen them and assumed they’d been lost during their fight before he resurrected the goddess Maja.

René glanced at her from where he paced across the room and frowned. Sujani said you’re a mage. Can’t you do some sort of blood magic thingie and figure it out so we can finally end Damon?

Her stomach plummeted to the floor. You want me to perform blood magic? What a thing to ask, especially as he’d been a victim of it himself back in Brachia.

Volunteering to be her blood sacrifice, are you? The undercurrent of protectiveness hardened Erik’s words as he glared at René.

Adina shook her head and sighed in exasperation. This was all useless, anyway. Sujani and Damon were so far above them in Talent and raw power, they didn’t stand much of a chance. Don’t be an idiot, René. Even if I could do blood magic—which I can’t—I’d have no idea what ritual to use. It wasn’t like she could go to the nearest library and borrow a grimoire.

Hana’s melodious voice rippled across the study as she intercepted René and, intertwining her fingers with his, brought his relentless pacing to a stop. Good thing, too. Because you can’t have him. Her eyes sparkled with mischief that contrasted the somber mood of the room. He’s mine.

Supposed dragon bones forgotten, René grabbed Hana’s waist and pulled her to him with a growl in the back of his throat. With his eyes glued to her, he addressed the rest of them, While you stick-in-the-muds are figuring out the bones, we’ll be in my room.

Adina rolled her eyes more out of show than true annoyance. It made her heart sing to see Hana so happy, even if her taste in men was questionable. They were all likely to meet Final Death when Sujani and Maja came for them, anyway. Hana may as well wring whatever joy she could from their final days.

As the pair disappeared into the hallway, Adina caught Erik’s attention. Gesturing to the bones, she shook her head. I really have no idea what to do here. It’s not like we can ask Sujani or Damon. Any bright ideas?

Only dim ones, sorry.

She tried to smile at his attempt to lighten the mood but couldn’t force her muscles into compliance.

With a sigh, he picked up a bone and held it close. It’s too bad they don’t have ‘Dragon Bone’ carved on the side. That would make it easy.

Adina raised her eyebrow and gave him a flat look. He wished…

He tossed the piece back into the pile, where it clacked into place with the others. I’ll tell you what. He rubbed his hand down her back. Let’s put them away and we’ll work on it more tomorrow. There’s not much we can do, anyway, until we locate a non-ruptured confluence of ley lines.

Adina sighed. He was right. The first time Damon and Sujani fought, they’d destroyed a bunch of ley lines and created a new volcano in Brachia. Damon hadn’t bothered to confirm before he disappeared, but she suspected there had been even more of the mystical lines in the cave where they’d found the Bone Shard Blade. After all, what other force could literally topple a mountain?

As Holt had once said, Sujani was very good at dropping mounds of rubble on other people.

Besides, Erik said, pulling her thoughts back to the present, the sun will be up soon.

A quick glance outside revealed more of the never-ending drizzle that seemed the norm for northern Gorlinia. At least, since Sujani had raised Maja. Flooded streets, mudslides, perpetually soggy and chilled clothing… Just more things on the list that made her miss the Saldanian Desert.

She sighed and turned to the unrolled map sitting to the left of the bone pile. There ought to be some sort of pattern or layout to the geography of an area that would point to the ley lines. She waved her hand over the parchment. I mean, if they’re powerful enough to create volcanos or level mountains, they ought to have some influence on the formation of those landmarks, right?

That makes sense, he said, sitting in a chair beside her. But I don’t think they’re that easy to find. Maybe they move? Remember how surprised Damon looked when Sujani exposed them back in Brachia?

She shook her head. No…I was too busy trying to figure out how we were going to get out of there alive to care about Damon’s emotional state. But that meant Sujani knew how to locate ley lines, so it was possible.

Erik chuckled. Fair enough.

Heavy boots came to a stop outside the door. Adina caught his eye as the knob rattled and swept the pile of dragon bones off the table and into their pouch just as Damon stepped inside.

Erik leaped to his feet, the chair legs screeching across the floor. What are you doing here? He pulled his sword and pointed it at the intruder.

Adina’s gut clenched as her free hand wrapped around her falchion’s handle. The last thing they needed was Damon skulking about. She surreptitiously slid the sack of bones into her pocket as she stood. Reaching for her Talent, she blew a quick gust of air away from them, lest Damon attempt to catch them unaware with his stench, and thus take control of their bodies.

His platinum hair flashed red in the candlelight as his classic leather cloak trailed water across the floor. He caught each of their eyes as the corner of his mouth ticked upward at Adina’s conjured breeze. Hello, Adina. Erik.

Adina glanced around the room, peering into the shadows. After all, wherever Damon went, Septimus wouldn’t be far behind. Her fingers tensed around her falchion’s grip. She wasn’t quite sure what to make of Septimus at the moment—half the time he opposed them, and the other times his help was invaluable. And while he didn’t seem to be inclined to try to kill her anymore, they still had